St. Joseph's Boys' High School, Bangalore , St. Joseph's College of Commerce, Bangalore

Mother Tongue

Kannada

Brother

Prasad Rai

Height

5 feet 9 inches (175cm)

Twitter Profile

https://twitter.com/prakashraaj

Facebook Profile

https://www.facebook.com/PrakashRajOfficial

Biography

Prakash Raj is an Indian actor, particularly famous in south Indian films & generally known all over India for his versatile roles and efficiency to bring life to characters. He has re found himself as a director, producer and other creative roles as well.

Childhood, Family & Personal Life

Prakash Raj was born in St. Martha's Hospital, Bangalore, Karnataka as Prakash Rai on Friday, 26 March 1965 to Manjunath Rai (Father) & Swarnalatha (Mother). His father comes from a Tulu speaking family, his mother speaks Kannada. Prakash Raj speaks Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Marathi, English, Malayalam, Tulu along with his mother tongue Kannada. His mother was a Nurse in nospital. His mother was a Christian by religion, he has both Christian & hindu upbringing.

Prakash Raj has a brother named Prasad Rai, Prasad is an actor too, he made debut in Tamil in 2010. Prasad & Prakash have a sister.

First Marriage: Prakash Raj married actress Lalitha Kumari in 1994, They have children, daughters named Meghana, Pooja and a son Sidhu. His Sidhu had an unfortunate early death in March 2004. Lalitha & Prakash divorced in 2009, ending their 15 year marriage.

Second marriage: Prakash Raj married Bollywood choreographer Pony Verma (born Rashmi Verma) on August 24, 2010, they had known each other for long time, they were friends before they decided to get married. The ceremony was conducted according to Hindu traditions in Punjabi style. The event was attended by his mother, daughters & wellwishes from the industry like his friend director Radha Mohan & others. Reception was arranged in Sahara hotel, Mumbai among other places. The couple had a baby boy in February, 2016, their son is named Vedhant.

Prakash Raj with wife pony verma & son vedhanth

Prakash Raj with son Vedhanth

Prakash Raj children- daughters Meghana, Pooja & son Vedhanth

Education:

High School: St. Joseph's Boys' High School, Museum Road, Bangalore.

College: St. Joseph's College of Commerce, Brigade Road, Bangalore.

Drama: He started in theatres through Kalakshetra, Bengaluru.

Movie Career

Thatre Career: Prakash Raj started his career in acting through stage dramas of Kalakshetra, Bengaluru.

Prakash first entered the movies as a dubbing artist for Ravana Rajya(1987).

Prakash appeared in Malayalam movies starting from 1996 with "The Prince" starring Mohanlal directed by Suresh Krishna.

After his entry into Tamil films, Prakash Raj became a sensation in a short time period, he quickly became a sensation in Telugu industry as well. He has been among the most sought after anti-heroes of the South India.

As director: Prakash Raj started his directorial career through "Naanu Nanna Kanasu (2010 ), A remake of the Tamil movie "Abhiyum Naanum" which has him in the lead role. Dhoni, Oggarane are other hit movies created under his direction.

TV Appearances

Guddada Bhootha (1990) (Tulu and Kannada): A suspense thriller originally aired on DD Kannada & later reaired on Zee Kannada in 2014. It was an inspiration for the 2015 hit Kannada film RangiTaranga, the film has used the song "Dennaana Dennaana" from the TV series.

Neengalum Vellalam Oru Kodi (Tamil) : Prakash Raj hosted, this game show, a Tamil Version of the "Who wants to be a Millionaire." It was aired on Star Vijay.

Awards & Recognitions:

1996: Kalki (Tamil): Best Villain Award- Won (Tamil Nadu State Film Awards)

1997: Nagamandala(Kannada): The movie in which Prakash acts as the leading actor was selected for Indian Panorama in the International Film Festival.

1998: Iruvar(Tamil): National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor.

1998: Antahpuram (Telugu): National Film Award – Special Jury Award.

2000: Azad (Telugu): Best Character Actor- Won (Nandi Awards)

2000: Vaanavil (Tamil): Best Villain Award- Won (Tamil Nadu State Film Awards)

2015: O Kadhal Kanmani (Tamil): Best Actor in a Supporting Role- Won (South Indian International Movie Awards)

Controversies & Prakash Raj

Banned from Telugu film indistry "Sex" Times: Prakash Raj has been banned from the Telugu film industry for six times so far, he doesn't go by the conventional rules, "but why do they still hire me if they don't like Me, look at the results. I understand I'm bit unconventional" says Prakash.

Prakash went nude for a scene in the movie Ongole Githa: He was criticized for going fully nude for a scene in the movie, Prakash says that he wouldn't have done it unless the character demanded it. Thus only being truthful to the role.

For being part of the team which Produced Singham: Kannada fans & industry protested that Singham movie uses a derogatory dialogue, which puts people of Karnataka in bad light. Eventually the dialogue was cut-off and the director & producer apologized.

Fight at the Hyderabad Airport: According to Prakash Raj, a drunk man forced him to talk to his girlfriend on phone even after repeatedly politely choosing not to, the young man pushed it

Actress Geetha who had acted in one Kannada movie with Prakash Raj recommended his name to director K Balachander who eventualyl cast him in one of his movies. It was the tipping point in Prakash's career.

Prakash Raj is a regular smoker, despite his best efforts he confesses he is still addicted to it.

Prakash Raj has been banned for 6 times so far, some talk of it in the Tollywood as pettiness of some big heroes.

Prakash Raj has a very friendly relationship with actress Abhirami, they are comfortable calling each other by nicknames, he calls her "raindrop" (she likes getting drenched in Rain), she calls him "traveller" for the obvious reason as name suggests.

Prakash Raj likes travelling & reading books.

Director Jyothi Prasad lodged a complaint against Prakash Raj with the Producers Council for late attendance to the shooting spot.

Quotes

I don't have a role model, I like different people for different aspects.

I do not have time for God, when I get near a temple or Church I go in, I'm not saying I don't believe, I simple don't have time.

I don't like fan clubs, watch my movies, enjoy them, be fans of art, I'm only doing my job, and taking handsome money for it, you should also be doing your jobs, we have to bring in that understanding.